Doggo

Fair enough, and i'm not usually one to question other peoples votes. But what about the numerous occasions today where he saved our bacon by getting a fist on some crucial spoils in one-on-one situations, on the very last line of defence? Saved at least 3 or 4 goals in the 2nd half directly from spoils/marks in the defence line after a Melbourne turnover(s) in the middle.

Won't put Barty out unless he makes a permenent move into the backline, which i see unlikely. Barty is a fixture back there, and as was mentioned in a thread last week, it's going to take a very good defender to knock him off that spot. Might be Bail, but i see his running ability to be of more use in the middle.

I think he's a great role-player for the side, his athletic ability allow him to play a number of roles and DB has highlithed this in the past. Liked the look of him last year as a defensive forward, able to run with his man and get dangerous in front of goals. This year he's moved into the midfield group and i think it's smart coaching to use him as a tagger given his elite running ability. Speed, agility and most importantly, a huge tank, mean he can fill that role perfectly, and although some are fans of his footskills, i think his kicking and decision making can be a bit ordinary, or perhaps just inconsistent, at times. Playing as a defensive midfielder limits the negative effect this might have on us, and plays to Bail's strengths.

I'm a big fan of Rivers and thought that he wasn't so bad last week given the supply the Hawks had. He was near on worst player on the ground against the Swans in round 1, but last week he was good all things considered, and this week he has come back to what we (well most of us) have come to expect from him. He's a lot better one-on-one than a lot of MFC supporters give him credit for IMO. Gets a lot of spoils in one-out, not just this week, every week. Obviously one-on-one is not the strongest part of his game (dropping off his man and providing a chop out for others is), but the way some people around here go on about Rivers being vulnerable when isolated (not in this particular thread, but a lot in recent times) and being a dumb footballer, making out like he's Zac Dawson or something. My issue with Rivers is being overambitious/lazy with his footskills (which aren't great), and getting burnt by quicker leading players. On his side, i've always felt he is a smart player who can read the play unfolding upfield, and has always been able to take clean one grab marks floating across packs. Today, along with sporting an iron fist, he played to these strengths, and he was fantastic.

This. I made this call last year in a thread about the "young, potentially elite" players on our list, and i stand by it to this point. He's got IT, IMHO, does Jordan Gysberts. Whilst we have a raft of early picks with 'elite potential' and plenty of development still ahead (guys like Morton, Watts, Blease, Scully, Trengove, Tapscott etc etc), the cornerstone to this recent period of drafting is the Scully/Trengove midfield combo. While both already look very likely stars, the Gys has flown under the radar (mainly due to injury and an underdeveloped body), but i've no doubt that he will be right up there with them, or perhaps even ahead when they reach the peak of their powers circa 2013-2015 in their early-mid 20s. Given the contested style of game he plays, another 5 kegs on the frame and some added run in the legs from a couple of pre-seasons... He will be that much more powerful and dangerous, with his quick hands and great game sense, he'll be almost unstoppable at the clearances and around the ground. Add to that decent height (190ish) and a pretty solid overhead ability, and he's got all the right ingredients to be a tall, powerful inside clearance midfielder who can also push forward on occassion and kick a goal. His potential 'ceiling' is as tall as anybodys at the club, bar perhaps Jack Watts IMO.

6. Jamar 5. Moloney 4. Rivers 3. Gysberts 2. Jurrah 1. Bail Apologies to Martin (who is improving every week), and Jones (whose attack on the footy was outstanding as was his game bar for him still making some poor decisions, i.e. that missed opportunity to setup a transition goal with dumb kicking inside 50 instead of drawing the player and then kicking to Jurrah's advantage, as well as that dropped mark in the last)

Bugger

I'm hoping the final bench reads: Dunn, Watts, Petterd and Morton (sub). Meaning... IN: Gysberts, Wona, Morton OUT: Jetta, Maric, Jones Somehow can't see Jones getting dropped though, and Morton might need a run at Casey to pick up some touch. edit: Crap, forgot about Petterd.

At this stage i'm more concerned with his propensity to go missing for very long periods of time in games. Needs to get more involved, because his speed and agility/evasiveness in close could be such a huge weapon for us. His best is brilliant, but we just don't see it often enough.

Huge fan of Grimesy, but i've never felt so relieved as i did today when Tapscott and Davey took over the kicking in duties from him. You could see it really early in the game that it just wasn't going to be Jack's night. Hoping for an improved performance from him next week.

6 - Rivers 5 - Bail 4 - Tapscott 3 - Martin 2 - Sylvia 1 - Trengove Same 6 names, different order

My favourite player, often underrated around here. Great game from Big Beamer!

Every team does this when the opposition are playing a cluster or rolling zone. It's annoying, but it's the current trend.

Yep, pay that. Gysberts first two games were better than anyone i can recall in my whole time watching footy. Ricky Petterd's first game back in 07 against Sydney was a great one too. Remember him running back into the hole and marking with Barry Hall closing down on him?

I'd back Rivers in against Hale more often than not.

To be fair, i didn't take much notice of his opponents on the day. Who was he playing on that was beating him/us so badly?

I couldn't believe he missed it! The build-up to that mark and set shot was so exciting too. Thought Russian was really good again, but gee, you want/expect your AA ruckman to dob 20m goals on no angle at critical moments of the game. Was a momentary lapse of concentration where we saw the Mark Jamar of old (pre-2009) again, just for a moment. No footballer, ever, let alone an AFL footballer, should be missing from there in near perfect conditions. I would have kicked it, and i'm not much chop.

We got done by 9 or 10 goals in round 1 last year; our worst loss for the season i think. That 100-point drubbing V Hawthorn you're thinking of was Round 1 2008 (followed by a 97 point drubbing by the Bulldogs in Round 2). It's certainly been a long road, this rebuild...

Loved Tappy's game. He's just a little brick-sh*thouse isnt he? He's almost like a mini version of Frawley. Couldn't believe the size and 'thickness' of his torso and shoulders. If you didn't know he was on debut, you'd easily have mistaken him for a 100-gamer. Doesn't have your average 19 year old body, and is so clean and composed with the footy. Great debut, and another gun youngster to add to the collection.

Hope to God that Frawley is ready to go next week, will need him against Roughie/Buddy/Hale. Rivers was beaten one-on-one a couple of times today, and had a couple of bad turnovers (that kick into the man on the mark, FCS Riv!!!) but i didn't think he was too bad oddly enough. I thought he was ok but got crucified a couple of times by teammates not coming across to help out. Didn't watch him all that closely to be honest, but i didn't think he was the worst.

Well, if that's the case, let's hope he can string together 22 games this year...

Nice game today from Stef, let's hope he can continue to build on it and have a good year. Looked very fit and strong, you can really tell he's had a great pre-season.

Surprise!!! Moloney, B.O.G! 27 disposals (21 contested), 7 tackles, 10 clearances; all team highs.

Apologies to Col Garland. Kept Goodes to just 1 behind and 4 disposals after being torched in the first half.

Won't happen, but on todays performance i'd be dropping Jones. His decision making is just deplorable. Love his endeavour, love his physicality and courage. Just not sure he's got any other weapons in his armoury. Slow, can't kick, not great awareness. Petterd must start the game. Pointless to speculate, but I reckon if he'd played the first three quarters today we would have come away with the 4 points. He's just so dangerous in the air and such a tough matchup.